Welcome to Gaia! ::

Coming up the road to the house, she passed Aloysius heading out to work. She knew he was going into the shop today to work on orders and had let the guy she hired know to let her know when he left. Today she was going to be giving Liam a few more lessons about some things while also working on her fighting. It was a nice way to get out a bit of her frustration on things as well. Not that she was ever bothered by Liam, it was more so things with Aloysius again over money and things.

Texting them a short little thing letting them know she was here, she waited as usual on the doorstep as she looked at the roses that were in bloom. They weren’t exactly the color she remembered had been in the garden before but they were close and it felt a bit odd as she looked at them. Today she was dressed a little less nicely, instead of heels and a skirt she had sneakers and jeans. Though they were designer jeans and went with the blouse she wore.

“Just for a bit then we can move somewhere a bit better for my plan today.” Stepping inside, she meandered into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Looking around, it looked like things were still getting cleaned according to the maid she was paying. She hadn’t been sure if things would work out or not considering her brother’s position on having people pop in unannounced.

“So my plan is a bit of practice for us both, I need to practice a bit of hand to hand and you need to practice dodging social questions which isn’t too different from dodging punches.” Plus she figured he’d probably be able to help her figure a bit more about things since he went to the gym. It wasn’t a place she would be caught dead at but she did at least have a walk pad in her apartment that she used and did some yoga here and there in her place.

“So casual works but something a bit more magical would work better.”

“I mean you have been working out but that’s something else.” Looking them over for a moment as she finished her water and sat at the table. They were far enough away from the city and most people to probably not be felt but she tapped at her chin and pondered.

“Oh of course not, Metallia would sense you and have agents dispatch you if not youma. I hate those things, they don’t like me either even though I am on the same side. There’s no reason for you to be there.” It was another thing she agreed on with her brother and as much as she disliked it more and more often they saw eye to eye when it came to Liam.

“Maybe here? We’re far enough away I believe.”

“Maybe you should bring me to look around then at some point if it isn’t as bitey as the youma are? I remember looking at those wraiths of yours when we first met.” When she’d actively tried starseeding her brother in front of Liam and found out the hard way he was a General.

Following along, she grabbed one more water bottle because she knew she’d need it after things. “Yes let’s head outside, it’s a nice day today anyway.” Clearing the back doorway, she powered up and pulled her scarf down to sip a bit more water. Looking at the back garden, the rose bushes were in full bloom and had overtaken some of the hedges. It reminded her of things when she was growing up and it wasn’t too bad this time.

The house had sat abandoned for a while but now it looked lived in, looked like a home with people who actually wanted to be here. It felt a bit odd sometimes still though, she didn’t quite know exactly why but it was fine as she turned back to face Liam.

“So the first rule of social interactions is to listen closely and try and understand to what they mean behind what they are saying.” It wasn’t always easy but reading body language as well as knowing a bit of background information always seemed to help.

“That’s good because I remember you saying not to touch them then which I assume is because they drain things.” Tapping the tip of her shoe against the ground, she tried to remember the things she’d seen and learned from Stichtite and Benitoite. Taking up what she figured was a boxer’s stance, she squared up in front of him even if he still had half a foot on her.

“Exactly, or when someone is hiding something while still maintaining what seems like pleasant conversation.” A lot of it was tone but she’d could tell almost by feel at this point. She just knew so many tells at this point from all her years in the circles of the city and she just had to figure out how best to get that across to them. “Look for things that might not mean much, a finger fidgeting at their side or a twitch of the corner of their mouth or eye. Could be a nervous habit or even just something that gives it away in their eyes.”

Hearing the bit of hesitation in their voice, she nodded sharply and swung out at them and towards their side. Better to catch them off guard both with the hit and then maybe she’d poke them with some questions that might sting a bit. Nothing to really hurt them but maybe get them to think about things.

“Think of Aloysius and I, would you know if something was wrong with either of us without us telling you?” She knew she kept most things quiet, kept anything that might be a weakness hidden just as she’d avoided them finding out about the burns she’d gotten after that fire senshi. Only three people really knew about it and all three of them were generals.

Wraiths sounded easier and a lot safer than what she had to do so maybe she was a bit jealous of that but it also meant that Liam could keep back and let things go without to much intervention.

“Many levels above but I’ll help you learn the tells of some of the people you might meet.” The hit connected but it hurt her hand a bit, what hurt more was the kick as she missed dodging it completely. It caught her on the edge of her shin and had her internally cringing but just stepping back with a slight pained expression that was more like one that someone who only had a minor papercut might have.

“His glasses, he adjusts them when things are stressing him. That or him itching at his throat, I noticed that down in the castle.” It was a habit she had too but less for stress with her and more for when she was focusing or wanting to remember something being said. Part of her wondered if the throat thing was a hang up after he’d quit smoking or drinking but he did have that scar there too and she had no idea where that had come from.

Going in for a kick this time, something she was a bit more sure of with her sturdy heels, she aimed for one of their feet to try and get them to stumble. “When someone asks you about Aloysius what do you think you should say to them?” Speaking sternly while in motion, she kept as much of an eye out for whatever hit might come as he responded to her.

“Exactly yet I don’t really have much luck when I do that to him.” The last time had been after the party when she’d backed him into a corner in his home in the city and tried to get information out of him. They probably had more luck because of things but she didn’t know and she really didn’t want to know.

Pausing with her attacks, she smiled and nodded. “Acceptable, also going with an excuse that they were busy handling classes for the Evans family. It’s a good name to use and I’m certain Alexandre wouldn’t want to hide that connection between the families. Good job.” Stepping forward she patted his cheek then raised her fists to get ready for if they were going to try attacking.

“And if he does show up to a gathering what should you do and look out for?” Not swinging yet, she watched and waited while shifting her weight between her feet. The motion had all the layers of her skirt and her scarf swaying slightly.

Pouting, she stomped near his foot again with her heel and followed up with an elbow to their stomach. It still felt like she was trying to punch a brick almost and she figured it was because of them going to the gym so much now that they had time.

It was good that they listened, that they were not just fighting her on things like when she bickered with her brother about how things should be run. Scowling at the mention of alcohol she hadn’t really considered that as much in a social setting because she really didn’t pay much mind to it herself. “A good start but also watch what he says because he plays a different type of game than we will be playing when out at things. Don’t get too jealous either.” Because she knew of all the people who whispered and wondered about the elusive musician who could only be seen during recitals.

Looking up at them again she spoke firmly. “Your unwanted family attends things so watch for them but don’t cause a scene. That and see if you can’t find out about any upcoming investment opportunities while talking with people. It could just be a passing comment, nothing really direct because nothing ever is there.” It was all an exercise in paying attention and listening while not seeming rude and keeping things civil.